Helminthiasis remains a widespread public health challenge, affecting nearly half of the global population, particularly in regions with inadequate sanitation, malnutrition, and overcrowded living conditions. This parasitic infection is primarily transmitted through contaminated soil, water, food, or direct contact with infected hosts, with insects often acting as vectors.[1,2] The major groups of helminths responsible for infections in humans and animals include trematodes (flukes), cestodes (tapeworms), and nematodes (roundworms), all of which contribute to a variety of health complications.[3,4] Helminth infections can result in immune suppression, increasing the host’s susceptibility to secondary infections and life-threatening diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
Among the nematodes, species such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, and Trichuris trichiura are particularly significant as they spread infection without requiring an intermediate vector. These parasites typically infect humans through the ingestion of contaminated food or water, direct contact with contaminated soil, or skin penetration by larvae. Once inside the human body, these worms can migrate through the bloodstream and settle in organs such as the lungs and central nervous system (CNS), causing severe complications including respiratory distress, neurological disorders, and malnutrition. In contrast, trematodes such as Schistosoma species are primarily transmitted through contaminated water, where their larvae penetrate human skin upon contact. Chronic schistosomiasis can result in severe organ damage, particularly affecting the liver, intestines, and urinary system, often leading to conditions such as hepatosplenomegaly, intestinal fibrosis, and bladder cancer. Cestodes, including Taenia solium and Taenia saginata, are generally transmitted through the consumption of undercooked or contaminated red meat. Once inside the host, these tapeworms can develop into cysts in various tissues, including muscles, the eyes, and the CNS, leading to a severe neurological disorder known as neurocysticercosis, which can cause seizures, chronic headaches, and cognitive dysfunction.[5, 6]